Boiler



2 sheets-sheet l .1. g-B, BERNHARD BOILER Filed April 18. 1929 50 rvr-Fl@Wl m fi f L 3,@ m .IW Mi m 4. VxVL.T-.. TL B t L r U M vf M J M V .L uawe l. f IW/ i lv 3 @A .o *I i. \M n 10V- a a w o n THMHMW 4 +3 f/ FWHM4f 6 w H HNIHM.. 1V!) M a 7 @5 w 3 z 3/I a 3 2 o 4 u au 2 i W w 2 2swept. l, 1931.

A-vLZ Sept. 1, 1931. .1. B. BERNHARD BOILER Filed April 18, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 22 f/ ze Jo hn 5. @ern/mrd Patented Sept. l', 1931 1UNITED STATES JOHN B. BERNHARD, OF STONLEIGH, MARYLAND BOILER w lApplication filed April 18,

My invention relates to boilers.

' The principal object of my invention is to devise a boiler which isconstructed to insure a complete mixing of the combustible gases withthe entering air and a consequent eicient combustion through subjectingthe flow 'of the gases to frequent changes of direction, and further tosecure an intimate contact of the hot gases with the heating surfaces ofthe boiler, with a View ofimproving the heatJ absorptive capacity of theunit.

A further object is to devise a boiler as above described whichcomprises an increase in the amount of heating surface relative to unitsof similar type and in which a large proportion lof this surface isdisposed substantially normal to the flow direction of the hot gases,breaking up the gas currents and extracting therefrom the maximumavailable heat. l

A'furthervobjectisto devise a boiler of i the above type whichy ischaracterized by ka quick heating response, a free watercirculation-,ample water capacity, and an absence of "anytendency to'prime or 'drive the water out of the unit, if the latter is used toform steam. f

-' -A further object is to devise a boiler of the character described,and particularly one of the so-called sectional type, in which thecomposing sections may be manufactured at aminimum cost,fand labor, andwhich are susceptible of easy assembly, to meety a wide range ofoperating conditions, `whether p steam, vapor, or'hot water.

My improved boiler iscomposed of a predetermined number of sections 1between which the hot gases pass on their way to the stack. In eachsection, theheating surfaces ar'elarger in area thanindicatedby theoverall dimensions thereof and are mutually dis posed to frequentlydeiiect theflow direction ff 'of the hot gases while passingtherebetween.

vFrom this construction results two advantages; first, a thorough mixingof the combustible gases'fwith the entering air and a consequentpromotion of the mostl efficient combustion, and second, a positiverelation of the heating surfaces to the hot gases which operates tobreak up the latter and to extract rtact with the heating surfaces ofthe sections 1929.' Serial N0. 356,198.

therefrom the maximum amount of heat.v l

The water content of each section is suticientyly small in relationtothe amount of heating surface to insure quick steaming and acontinuous rapid transfer of heat to the lwa- 55 ter, but without anydanger of driving the water out of the sections, owing to the eiiicientmode of circulation, as hereinafter described. The hotgases are retainedin cona period of time sufficient to insure their complete combustionand an extraction of the utmost heat value therefrom. Other advantagesof my improved boiler will appear in the subsequent explanation thereofas set 6 forth in the following specification,v refera ence being had tothe accompanying drawings, and the novel means by which said objects areetfectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of my improved boiler, as viewedalong the line 1-1 in Fig. 2. w

Fig. 2 is a section along the line 2-2 in 75 Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the aiV- rows, the smoke box being omitted.

Fig.y 3 is a front elevation of ythe boiler on reduced scale, showingthe relation of the front, end and intermediate sections.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section along theline 41E-4: in Fig. 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows, showingt-he relation between an adjoiningpair of sections in respect of their kheat-ing surfaces and flue passageytherebetween.

Fig. is an enlarged section along the line 5*.5 in Figi, showing therelation between a pair of adjoining sections in respect of thedeliverypassage to the smoke box.

Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevation of the" lower portions of thefront, back and side sections, showing the means foreffecting acircula-tion of water therebetween.

The numeral 10 represents my improved 9b n boiler, which for purpose ofillustration wili -be denoted as a steam type, and which inis defined bya front wall 16, a rear wall 17 and sidewalls 18 of any approvedconstruc- Y A hollow front section, or lmountedV above the grates 21 andcomprisesof the boiler, but have been set forth in rdetail asillustrating one type of operative environment. merous changes may bemade in'these elements as conditions determine, one such Ychange beingthe substitution of gas or oil It is contemplated that nuburners for thegrates 21 as a source of coinbustion.

water leg, 22 is openings 23 and 24 which are closed by the doors 13 and14, respectively. At the eppo- Y site end of the boiler is a pluralityof back water sections, or water legs, 25, also supported abovev saidgrates and extending thereabove for a predetermined distance.

I yThe sections 25 communicate with each other adjacent their respectivebottoms by means of nipples 26 and at the tops thereof by meansofnipples 27. As shown in Fig. 2,v

the back of the boiler is formed by an association of individualsections, but it is contemplated in actual manufacture to combine thesame yinto a single unit covering the entire back of the boiler in thesame manner that the section 22 covers the front end thereof, as shownin Fig. 3. i Y

Bridged between the sections-22 and 25 are a plurality of end, orside,and intermediate sections with which the flue gases come intocontact during their passage through the unit and which accordinglyinclude the principal heating surfaces of the boiler. type ofconstruction shown in Fig. 1, the sections 22 and y25 are spacedsu'liiciently apart to permit the placing therebetween of 'pairs of saidend and intermediate sections,

the sections in each group of pairs being disposed end to end. Forpurpose of illustration, the end and intermediate sections ad-y jacentthe section 22 will be termed front secj tions of the correspondingtypey and thosev i adjacent the sections 25 will be termed rear 'Ysections.

`Accordingly, the numeral 28 Vdenotes the front side sections, thenumeral 29 the rear side sections, the numeral '30 thelfrontintermediatesections, and the numeral 31 the rear intermediate sections. Figs. 1 and2, the sections 28 and 29 have approximately the same height as thefront 4section 22, whereas the intermediate sec- For the v nipples 43.

tions and 31 do not extend below the upper edge of the opening 23, thisarrangement forming the usual combustion space below Yoftheintermedia-tesections comprises a pair of vertical, end 'columns 32-32which are connected vat the bottoni of the section by a duct 33, thethickness of said columns and ductbeing approximately the same for apurpose hereinafter explained. At the-upper end of said columns, thesection is enlarged te form achamber34which serves as a combined steamand water space and with which said columns communicate.

Aplurality of hollow fins project from. one side of the bodyv of saidsection, spaced from each other and parallel with the lower edge of thesection. Two of said hns, denoted by the numeral 35 extend across thelength of the sectionA and project therefrom the same distance, whilethe remaining and uppermost iin 36 termina-tes short of the frontcolumn32. and projects from the section greater distance than the fins l,35,all of these features beingprovided for apurpose hereinafter explained.The shortening of the fin 36 forms an opening 37 at the forward end ofthe section when the latter is assembled with otliersec'tions in theboiler.

A plurality of openings 38 are formed-.i through the body of the section.within the margin defined by the columns 32, duct 33 and chamber 34,andy above and below the fins 35 and 36.. In addition, the portion ofthe section within said margin is'depressedy so that the thicknessthereof is'less than that of said columns and duct for a purposehereinafterexplained, the provision of the openings 38 forming'walls.39. which act as stays to resist the lateral, bursting pressure in theinterior of the section. n s

' As already indicated, each of the side sections 28 and 29 areidenticalwith thelintermediate'section above described, so faras the upperportions thereof are concerned. The latter `differ only in respect ofthedependent portions which encl'osezone side of the combustion space.`i j The side sections28and 29 communicate with each other andwithvthefront section i 22 andthe back section 25 at the upper endsthereof. by' means of nipples 42,'preferably .i disposed above the waterline oftheboiler,

and at the lower ends thereof by nipplesV .41. Similarly,theintermediate sections 30"' Si and31 communicate with each other andwith As shown in.V

the sections 22 and 25at the upper ends thereof by nipples 42, alsopreferably. disposed above the water line,`and at vthe lower-ends by'vWhen thefbo'ilher i'sfbi1ilt-,'thev front yand back sections 22jand25v are mounted in the usual jmanner and the side 'and intermediatesectionsi28', 29, and 30,"31,-respectively, are disposed in groups :of-4pairs inA end toend relation, successivegroups across the boiler'beingvarrangedwith the tins 36'of each group .contacting with' the adjacentsurfaces 45 ofthe adjoining group ofsections. This disposition1spacesltheintermediate Lsections from each other and from the leftgroup 'of side sectionsyasviewedy in Fig. 2, to `formV a plurality ofgas passages 46. The right group jof` side sections, asviewedin saidtigure,'are reversed in position 'relative to the left group "andaredisposed witliithefins 36 touching each othertoform a gaspassage 47 lofslightvly f greateriwidththanthe passage s 46. yIn yorderfto assist indeflectingthe hot gases Awhile :passingffbetween the sections, theintermediate sections 30 and 31 have formed on the *su`rfaces45 thereofa pair of'spaced, parallel lribs 44'extending across the length of thesections and disposed'so that onefrib is llocated slightly aboveeach oneofk the fins on thel side or intermediate section immediately adj aoent.Asa result of the foregoing construction, the gas passages 46 and 47 areprovided with a plurality of baffles which act/to control the movementof the hot gases was more fully i described hereinafter.l

""- 4 `.In addition to the arrangement heretofore f 1 described, therear side and intermediate sec- Y dicated by the numeral 54 andanappropriate fuel bed supported on the kgrates 2l, the combustible gasesrising from said bed will pass upwardly through the passages 4.6 and 47between the respective sections until they strike the fins 36 when theywill be deflected through the passages 37 at the end thereof and causedto make a-.tra-verse across the length of each section between the tins36 and the undersides of the chambers 34 of each section. In thisconnection, it will be understood that the sides of the chambers 34 ineach group of sections are placed in contiguous relation with the sidesof the sections of the adjoining groups, thus denying the passage of gasupwardly therebetween and confining its movement as before stated. Thisgeneral movement of the gas is identical between each pair! of sectiongroups and the gas is ultimately directed through the several channels48 ,to the smokefbox 49.

During the passage between the sections, it is evident that the'tlowdirection of the gas l will be lsubjected to Afrequent deflections bythe 'ins 35 and 36 and the Aribs 44, creating substantially a wavemotion of thegas. In relationto this movement, the various heatingsurfaces of the' sections are disposed. so

as to be substantially normalto the iow of the gas at any indicatedpoint, thus insuring the most effective break up'of the gas and theabstraction therefrom ofthe utmostheat value. Moreover, the frequentchangein direction of the gas promotes a thorough mixture of thecombustible gases ywith the entering air and thereby securing acomplete" burning thereof.

Owing to the difference in thickness of the columns 32 and the portionsofthe sections enclosed thereby, the absorption ofheat .by the water inthe depressedportions,will be more rapid than that by the water ini thecolumns., resulting generally in a circulatfon` of water in each4sectionrwhichy is down through the columns 32 and np Through thedepressed portion, the steam being liberated at the surface 54 in thechambers 34; The rate of heat absorption is further enhanced by thefactthat the total heating` surface of each section is largerthanthatindicated by the overall dimensions thereof. Despite this favorablecondition-for efficient heat transfer, there is no possibility of thewater being driven Vfrom the sections, under forced. firing, by reasonof the relatively large capacity of the back water-legs 25 which servesubstantially as water tenders for the side and intermediate sectionsand the provisionfor free and rapid circulation between said legs andsections.; In View of the rapid steaming capacity ofthe unit,the-chambers 34 are made sulhciently largeto Vpromote va satisfactorydisengagement of the ysteam fromkr the water at the surface of thelatter, thus obviating any danger of foaming;

l As before statedthe character of themovement ofthe gases between thesections not only secures the 'complete combustion thereof,L but thelength of the fire. travel also insures that suflicienttime is allowedto obtain the maximum heat value of the gases without affecting themaintenance ofva proper ,draft through-the boiler. l 1 .j

From a manufacturing. and operating standpoint, my improved boiler ischaracter- 'ized bycertain important advantages. The

similarity between the sections simplifies the pattern nccessitles andthe castlngY thereof,

while the sections may bc easily assembled as hereinbefore describedlatlowcost. ,In

cleaning'and repairs.

lVhile I haveshown one set of elements and ends thereof.

combinations thereof for eifectuating my improved boiler, it wil-l beunderstood that the same are intended forV purpose of illustration onlyand in nowise to restrict the device'to the exact forms and structuresshown,'formany changes may be made therein-without departing from thespirit of my invention.

I claim f Y l. A boiler havingside and intermediate, water-containingsections, each section comprising upright end, upright intermediate,andtransverse ducts, all of said ductsbeing in communication, said sidesections having 'depending water legs. communicating with the ductsofthe corresponding sections, front and rear water legs communicatingwith all ofsaidsections, the intermediate sections being/disposed `abovethe source of heat and the walls-of a tire box. Y

Y 2. A boiler having a series of watercoutainingsections:v arranged sideby side, each Y said side, front and rear water legs defining 'sectioncomprising upright end and upright intermediate ducts, and transverseducts placing the upright and intermediate ducts in communication, vsomeof the upright ducts being of uniform cross-sectional area throughoutand the remaining upright ducts vof progressively increasingcross-sectional area, and va water reservolr commumcatmg with saidsections only at the upper and lower 3. A boiler having a series ofwater vcontainingv sections arranged vside by side, each sectioncomprising upright end and upright intermediate ducts, andV transverseducts placinguthe end and intermediate ducts in communication, someiofthe. upright ducts being of uniform cross-sectional area 'throughout andthe remaining upright ducts of progressively increasingV cross-sectionalarea, and front and rear waterlegs constituting a water tender'and incommunication with said sec- -tionsv only`at`fth'e lower and upper endsitheret.y

4. A boiler having aseries -of water containing sections of relatlvelysmall volume and flarge surface area of which eachV com- "prises uprightend ducts ofumform cross-sectional area throughout, upright intermediateducts of progresslvelyI lncreaslng rcross-sectional 'areay andtransverse ductsplacing the throughout, intermediateducts ofprogressively increasing cross-sectional area ,and transverse ductsplacing the end and mtermediate ducts In communicatiomthe end and steamchambers, and water legs of relatively large volume aslcompared withsaid lsections and injcommunication with the latter only at the lowerends and at the steam chambers,

said water legs being inV Communication with.;

each other. Y v

6. A boiler having a series of water.v containing sections arranged sideby side, each section comprisingupright end vand upright intermediateducts, and transversel ducts placingthe endandintermediate ducts incommunication, the endV ducts yand transverse ducts being of uniformcross-sectional area throughout and the intermediate ductsV of eachv ofsaid sectionsbeing enlarged atitsupper end to provide a. steam 'chamberwith which said upright ducts are in communication, and water legs 'incommunication with the sections only at the lower ends thereof and atthe steam chambers, said water legs being in communication with eachother only at their upper and lower ends.

7. A boiler having a series of water containing scctions arranged sidebyside, each;

section comprising uprightfend-and upright intermediate ducts,` andtransverse ducts placng the end and intermediate ducts in communication,the end ducts being of uni-v form cross-sectional area throughoutandthefA intermediate ducts of progressivelyncreas-V ing cross-sectionallarea, said sections being formed-at ltheir upper ends with steamchambers with which said upright d ucts comter legs being incommunication with each other at their upper and lower ends.

intermediate ducts communicating with said;

progressively increasing crossfsectional area,n

lao

municate, and water legs in communicationallOri with said sections only,ati the lower ends ythereof and at the steam chambers, said wa-In'testimony whereof, Iaiiixmy signature.; 10

lendh and intermediate ducts` in communical' volume and larger surfacearea andcomprising end ducts of uniform cross-'sectional area

